FR3111381A1 - System for controlling the fluid in a relay box - Google Patents

Abstract

An insert (20) configured to control fluid (15) collected from gears (104) in a relay housing (100), the insert including a body (22) extending between a first surface (24) and a second surface (26), the second surface being opposed to the first surface, the body being configured to occupy a volume (110) in the relay housing and to define a casing channel (32) between the relay housing and the second surface, the housing channel being configured to extend below the second surface, a clearance (28) defined by the first surface configured to collect fluid from the gears of the relay housing, a fluid drainage path (30) defined by the body , the fluid drainage path extending between the clearance and the housing channel, and wherein the insert is configured such that fluid collects at the first surface in the clearance and then flows through the fluid drainage path to crankcase channel. Figure 3A

Description

System for controlling fluid in a relay box

Domain

This disclosure relates generally to the field of lubrication systems in a relay box. More specifically, this disclosure relates to the control of fluid flow in an accessory relay box.

Context

An aircraft turbine engine typically includes an accessory relay box to actuate mechanically driven accessory systems, such as fuel pumps, hydraulic pumps and electrical generators, which are essential for the operation of the engine and the aircraft. As described by French patent application FR2977280A1 (hereafter "the '280 application"), the accessory relay box can usually comprise one or more gear trains. Each gear train can usually be made up of a plurality of sprockets which can be rotated to drive accessories through a drive shaft. The transmission shaft can be coupled to a shaft of the turbine. Each accessory may include an accessory drive shaft including a gear having a set of splines which meshes with a set of splines of a corresponding gear of a corresponding sprocket, to be driven thereby. Additionally, the driveshaft may include a gear having a set of splines that meshes with a set of splines of a corresponding gear of a corresponding cogwheel to drive the cogwheels of the gear train.

In operation, the use of oil to quickly lubricate the moving parts in the relay housing, such as gears and bearings, is necessary to cool, reduce friction and thus optimize the functionality and life of the housing of relays. However, one result of using oil in a rapidly moving environment is that oil is squirted, introduced and poured around the relay box. Thus, oil can accumulate in undesirable areas due to dynamic effects and/or geometry of the relay box, in addition to the general bulk amount of oil that can accumulate in a crankcase of the relay box. The gears may knock, pump, or move oil around the relay housing (swirl). Also, the gears can swirl air and/or an air-oil mixture around the relay housing (drift). Viscous drag, such as drift and swirl, on the gears reduces the efficiency of the relay box. Additionally, these moving fluids can negatively impact the proper drainage (draining) of the relay box, further causing the oil to build up undesirably inside the relay box, thus further reducing efficiency. of the relay box.

Currently available structures for controlling fluid flow in a relay housing include the use of several separate components and configurations, such as specially designed baffles and shields and relay housing interiors and/or tapping points drain. However, using multiple separate components and configurations can be costly, increase points of failure, and limit flexibility with respect to relay box design and manufacture.

It is desirable to provide an improved and integrated system for controlling fluid flow in a relay box to solve one or more of the technical problems described above.

Summary

According to aspects of the disclosure, an insert configured to control fluid collected from gears in a relay box includes a body extending between a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being opposed to the first surface, the body being configured to occupy a volume in the relay housing and to define a housing channel between the relay housing and the second surface, the housing channel being configured to extend below the second surface, a clearance defined by the first surface configured to collect fluid from the gears of the relay box, a fluid drain path defined by the body, the fluid drain path extending between the clearance and the housing channel, and wherein the insert is configured so that fluid collects at the first surface in the clearance and then flows through the fluid drainage path to the crankcase channel.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the body is fixed or retained in the volume to maintain the positioning of the insert in the volume.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the fluid drainage path is configured to direct fluid away from clearance.

According to aspects of the disclosure, one or more secondary fluid drainage paths are defined by the body and the one or more secondary fluid drainage paths extend between the first surface and the second surface.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the housing channel is configured to direct fluid away from the body.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the insert includes a plurality of one or more of clearance, fluid drainage path, and housing channel.

According to aspects of the disclosure, a system configured to control fluids in a relay box includes an insert according to any of the aspects described above, a relay box defining a volume and including a gear configured to rotate about an axis of rotation in the volume and a drain port in communication with the volume, a fluid flowing in the volume being contactable with the gear, and in which the fluid flowing in the volume is moved by the insert body, at least a portion of the gear rotates within the insert clearance and fluid is moved through the body to the drain port from the insert housing channel.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the housing channel is formed between the second surface of the body and a housing of the relay box.

According to aspects of the disclosure, a position of the body is fixed in the relay box.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the backlash is configured to control fluid flow to the gear.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the housing channel is in communication with the fluid drainage path and the drain port.

According to aspects of the disclosure, fluid in the sump channel is directed to the drain port.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the body may form a plurality of sump channels and each sump channel is configured to direct fluid to the drain port.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the insert reduces the volume of a housing of the relay box where fluid can be collected or stored.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the fluid comprises a two-phase flow of oil and air and the insert is configured to restrict the flow of oil and air into the relay housing.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the housing channel extends between the second surface of the body and an exterior surface of the relay housing.

As described and in the aspects illustrated herein, the insert and/or system is configured as an integrated device and/or system(s) – rather than a combination of several separate devices and/or systems – to control the fluid flow in a relay box. In particular, the insert and/or system are configured as an integrated device and/or system(s) that reduce viscous drag, such as drift and swirl, on the gears and thereby improve gear box efficiency. relay.

The aspects of an embodiment are described with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals designate the same elements:

There is a side sectional view of a system for controlling fluid flow in a relay box (hereinafter "the system") according to aspects of the disclosure;

There is a side sectional view of the system according to aspects of the disclosure;

There is a side sectional view of the system according to aspects of the disclosure;

There is a side sectional view of the system according to aspects of the disclosure;

There is a front sectional view of the system according to the aspects of the disclosure, taken on line IIIA of the ;

There is a front sectional view of the system according to the aspects of the disclosure, taken on line IIIB of the ;

There is a front sectional view of the system according to the aspects of the disclosure, taken on line IIIC of the ;

There is a front sectional view of the system according to the aspects of the disclosure, taken on line IIID of the ; And

There is a side view of the system according to aspects of the disclosure, showing a sectional case of the system.

detailed description

An embodiment of a system for controlling fluid flow in a relay box (hereafter "the system") according to aspects of the disclosure is now described with reference to Figures 1A through 4, in which like numerals represent the same parts, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. In particular, an insert 20 of system 10 for use in a relay box according to aspects of the disclosure is disclosed. Although system 10 and insert 20 are described with reference to specific examples, it should be understood that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope defined by the claims. In particular, the individual characteristics of the different embodiments shown and/or mentioned here can be combined in additional embodiments. Accordingly, the description and the drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, illustrate illustrative aspects and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The illustrative aspects shown are intended for exemplary purposes only.

The term “exemplary” is used in the sense of “example” rather than “ideal”. While aspects of the disclosure are favorable to various modifications and alternate forms, their specifics have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular embodiment(s) described. Rather, the intent of this disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and variations within the scope of the disclosure.

Various materials, methods of construction and methods of attachment will be discussed in the context of the described embodiment(s). Those skilled in the art will recognize known substitutes for materials, methods of construction, and methods of attachment, all of which are contemplated to be compatible with the disclosed embodiment(s) and are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.

Where an element or feature is referred to herein as being "on", "engaged with", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or feature, it (it) may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to another element or feature, or intermediate elements or features may be present. In contrast, when an element or feature is referred to as being "directly on", "directly engaged with", "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" a other element or characteristic, there may be no intermediate elements or characteristics. Other terms used to describe the relationship between elements or features shall be interpreted in an identical manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.) .

Spatial terms, such as "top", "bottom", "middle", "inner", "outer", "below", "below", "lower", "above", "superior", and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one feature or feature to another feature(s) or feature(s) ), as shown in the drawings. Space terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of a device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned upside down, then the elements described as being "below" or "below" the other elements or features are oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the term exemplary "under" can encompass both top and bottom orientation. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated at 90 degrees or other orientations) and the spatial descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe different elements, components, regions, layers, sections and/or parameters, such elements, components, regions, layers, sections and/or parameters shall not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed here can be qualified as a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

As shown in Figures 2A and 4, system 10 is configured for use in an accessory relay box (hereinafter "the relay box") 100 of an aircraft engine (not shown). However, it is contemplated that system 10 may be configured for use in a non-accessory relay box. Additionally or alternatively, it is contemplated that system 10 may be configured for use in a non-aerospace application. Relay housing 100 includes housing 102 configured to surround moving parts, such as gears, bearings, and drive shafts. In the described embodiment, relay box 100 is rectangular. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other geometries, such as a square shape and/or shapes having non-uniform cross-sections, may be compatible with system 10. With reference to , the relay box 100 has an operating cycle in which one or more gears 104 rotate about an axis of rotation AR in the relay box 100. Referring to Figures 2A-4 of the described embodiment, there may be have a plurality of gears 104 and each gear 104 may rotate about the same rotation axis or a different AR rotation axis, however, for purposes of description, reference is made herein to "the gear" , unless specification of the plurality of gears 104 is required. During the cycle of operation, fluid 15 (see Figures 1A-1B) may be supplied to relay housing 100. Fluid 15 may contact gear 104. In the described embodiment, fluid 15 is a gear oil configured to lubricate moving parts in relay housing 100, such as gears 104 and bearings 114. Additionally or alternatively, it is contemplated that fluid 15 may have a two-phase flow comprising a mixture of air-oil. As illustrated by Figures 1A-2B and 4, relay box 100 may include housing 106 configured to collect and/or store fluid 15. Fluid 15 collected by housing 106 is no longer used once it is collected. has reached housing 106. Housing 106 may be positioned at a lower and/or bottom area of relay housing 100. Relay housing 100 may include a drain port 108 configured to return fluid to a reservoir of fluid (not shown) for recycling. Drain port 108 may be in communication with sump 106, such that fluid collected in sump 106 is directed and returned to drain port 108.

As shown in Figures 1A-4, insert 20 of system 10 is configured to occupy a volume 110. In the described embodiment, insert 20 is configured to occupy a volume 110 defined by housing 102 of the relay 100. Insert 20 is configured to be positioned within housing 106 of relay housing 100, to direct and/or move fluid 15 into housing 106 of relay housing 100. Additionally, insert 20 reduces the volume 110 of the housing 106 and/or the relay box available for the fluid 15, which in effect reduces the volume for the accumulation of the fluid 15 in the housing 106 and/or the relay box 100. The insert 20 can also be configured to mount in close proximity to gear 104, to restrict and remove fluid 15 from gear 104. Moving and directing fluid 15 into housing 106 of relay housing 100, and limiting and removing fluid 15 from gear 104 reduces drift and swirl nt, thereby increasing the efficiency of the Relay Box 100.

Insert 20 includes a body 22 configured to occupy volume 110. It is contemplated that body 22 may be solid or hollow. As illustrated in Figures 1A-4, body 22 can be formed in geometries matching the geometry of relay housing 100 and/or the positioning of moving parts within relay housing 100. Body 22 can be constructed with materials such as metals, polymers and/or reinforced polymers depending on chemical and thermal compatibilities. Additionally, it is contemplated that body 22 may be fabricated by processes such as molding/casting, machining, fabrication, 3D printing, extrusion and/or hydroforming. Body 22 is secured within volume 110 to maintain positioning within volume 110. Preferably, body 22 is secured within volume 110 and/or relay box 100. Body 22 includes a first surface 24 and a second surface 26. Body 22 extends between first surface 24 and second surface 26. As shown in Figures 1A-2B, first surface 24 is positioned adjacent gear 104 to restrict and remove fluid 15 of gear 104. Second surface 26 is positioned in housing 106 of relay housing 100 to direct fluid 15 into housing 106 of relay housing 100.

Referring to Figures 1A through 3D, first surface 24 defines clearance (recess) 28 to allow at least a portion of gear 104 to rotate therethrough. In the described embodiment, backlash 28 encloses a space in close proximity to gear 104 to sufficiently reduce drift. Preferably, backlash 28 covers part of gear 104 to sufficiently reduce drift. As shown in Figures 2A-2B and 4, it is contemplated that body 22 may include a plurality of clearances 28 for rotating a plurality of gears 104. In the described embodiment, each clearance 28 extends radially and axially to accommodate gear 104. Clearances 28 are configured to restrict the flow of fluid 15 into volume 110. Specifically, clearances 28 are configured to restrict the flow of fluid 15 to gear 104. Further, clearances 28 and/or first surface 24 are configured to collect fluid 15. It is contemplated that fluid 15 may be collected directly by clearances 28 and/or first surface 24. The term "directly" such as used herein can be understood to be the clearances 28 and/or the first surface 24 which are a first point of contact of the fluid 15 with the insert 20. Once the fluid 15 has been collected by the clearance 28 and/or the first surface 24, the fluid 15 is directed away from the gear e 104 by the clearance 28 and/or the first surface 24 up to the casing area 106.

As shown on the , body 22 also defines a fluid drainage path 30 configured to direct fluid away from clearance 28. Thus, fluid drainage path 30 extends between first surface 24 and second surface 26. As shown in Figures 2B-3D, it is contemplated that body 22 may define a plurality of fluid drainage paths 30, having the same or different orientations, in order to increase the amount of fluid 15 directed away from clearance 28 and/or or to preferred locations in the housing 106. As shown in the , the plurality of fluid drainage paths 30 may meet at a junction in the body 22. With reference to the , the fluid drainage path 30 extends through an interior of the body 22. Additionally or alternatively, the body 22 may define a fluid drainage path 30 that extends between the first surface 24 and the second surface 26 at an exterior of body 22. As shown in Figures 1A-2B, fluid drainage path 30 may extend from clearance 28 and/or first surface 24 from a position wherein clearance 28 slopes downward, rather than a position at the bottom of clearance 28, to prevent fluid 15 from accumulating in clearance 28. Thus, fluid drainage path 30 can be extend from clearance 28 and/or first surface 24 from a position offset from the axis of rotation AR. Additionally or alternatively, fluid drainage path 30 may extend from clearance 28 and/or first surface 24 from a position offset from axis of rotation AR which is opposite to a position of clearance 28 and/or first surface 24 where the splines of gear 104 enter clearance 28. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in , insert 20 may include one or more secondary fluid drainage paths 30B defined by body 22. The one or more secondary fluid drainage paths 30B may extend between first surface 24 and second surface 26. one or more secondary fluid drainage paths 30B may extend from a position at the first surface 24 which is offset from clearance 28 to a position at the second surface 26 which is offset with respect to the clearance 28. Thus, the one or more secondary fluid drainage paths 30B can be defined as being offset with respect to the clearance 28. The one or more secondary fluid drainage paths 30B being defined as being offset with respect to the clearance 28 allow the one or more secondary fluid drain paths 30B to collect fluid 15 from other parts in the relay housing 100, such as the pa links 114.

As shown in Figures 3A-3D, body 22 may form a housing channel 32 in volume 110 below second surface 26. It is contemplated that body 22 may form a plurality of housing channels 32 to increase the amount of fluid 15 to steer away from body 22. Second surface 26 is configured such that housing channel 32 is formed between second surface 26 and an interior surface of relay housing 100. Specifically, housing channel 32 is formed between second surface 26 and housing 110 of relay housing 100. Additionally or alternatively, housing channel 32 may be formed between second surface 26 and an exterior surface of relay housing 100. Second surface 26 may include an angled or contoured face 34 to form the housing channel 32. In the described embodiment, the angled face 34 is angled in a range between 30° and 60°, but may be angled 45° preferably of all, but other shapes and angles may also be appropriate and desirable. Additionally or alternatively, housing channel 32 may be triangular. Casing channel 32 is configured to direct fluid 15 away from fluid drainage path 30 and/or body 22. Thus, fluid drainage path 30 extends between and/or is in communication with the clearance 28 and sump channel 32. Additionally or alternatively, sump channel 32 is configured to direct fluid 15 to drain port 108. Thus, sump channel 32 is in communication with the drain path of fluid 30 and drain port 108.

In operation, insert 20 is placed in relay box 100 in the aspects described herein. Insert 20 is fixed in relay box 100 to maintain positioning. Fluid 15 is supplied to relay box 100 via fluid supply line 112 (see ) during the cycle of operation of the relay box 100. The fluid 15 comes into contact with the gears 104 and falls or is drawn into the clearance 28 and/or is trapped by the first surface 24. The fluid 15 trapped by the first surface 24 passes through fluid drainage path 30 and travels from clearance 28 and/or first surface 24 to case channel 32. Fluid 15 is discharged from case channel 32. Fluid 15 discharged from case channel 32 32 is directed through sump channel 32 to drain port 108, where fluid 15 is returned to the fluid reservoir for recycling. In this arrangement, the insert 20 of the system 10 serves as an integrated device and/or system(s) - rather than a combination of several separate devices and/or systems - for controlling the flow of fluid 15 into the housing of relay 100.

Although the present disclosure has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are only illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure.

It is intended that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only, with the true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

In addition, all the described characteristics of a device can be transposed, alone or in combination, to a process and vice versa.

Claims (15)

An insert (20) configured to control fluid (15) collected from gears (104) in a relay box (100), the insert comprising:
a body (22) extending between a first surface (24) and a second surface (26), the second surface (26) being opposite the first surface (24), the body (22) being configured to occupy a volume (110) and to define a housing channel (32) configured to extend below the second surface (26);
a clearance (28) defined by the first surface (24) configured to collect fluid (15);
a fluid drain path (30) defined by the body (22), the fluid drain path (30) extending between the clearance (28) and the housing channel (32); And
wherein the insert (20) is configured such that fluid (15) collects at the first surface (24) in the clearance (28) and then flows through the fluid drainage path (30 ) to the casing channel (32). Insert (20) according to claim 1, wherein the body (22) is fixed or retained in the volume (110) to maintain the positioning of the insert in the volume (110). An insert (20) according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein one or more secondary fluid drainage paths (30B) are defined by the body (22) and the one or more secondary fluid drainage paths are extend between the first surface (24) and the second surface (26). An insert (20) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing channel (32) is configured to direct fluid (15) away from the body (22). Insert (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insert comprises a plurality of one or more of the clearance (28), the fluid drainage path (30) and the housing (32). A system (10) configured to control fluids in a relay box (100), the system comprising:
an insert (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
a relay box (100) defining a volume (110) and including a gear (104) configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (A _R ) within the volume (110) and a drain port (108) in communication with volume (110);
a fluid (15) flowing in the volume (110) capable of coming into contact with the gear (104); And
wherein the housing channel (32) is bounded between the relay housing (100) and the second surface (26), fluid (15) flowing in the volume (110) is displaced by the body (22) of the insert (20), at least a portion of the gear (104) rotates within the clearance (28) of the insert (20) which is configured to collect fluid from the gears (104) of the relay box, and fluid (15) displaced by the body (22) is directed to the drain port (108) from the housing channel (32) of the insert (20). A system (10) according to claim 6, wherein the housing channel (32) is formed between the second surface (26) of the body (22) and a housing (102) of the relay housing (100). A system (10) according to any of claims 6 to 7, wherein a position of the body (22) is fixed in the relay box (100). A system (10) according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the clearance (28) is configured to control the flow of fluid (15) to the gear (104). A system (10) according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the housing channel (32) is in communication with the fluid drain path (30) and the drain port (108). A system (10) according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein fluid (15) in the housing channel (32) is directed to the drain port (108). A system (10) according to any of claims 6 to 11, wherein the body (22) forms a plurality of housing channels (32) and each housing channel is configured to direct fluid (15) to the port drain (108). A system (10) according to any of claims 6 to 12, wherein the insert (20) reduces the volume (110) of a housing (106) of the relay box (100). A system (10) according to any of claims 6 to 13, wherein the fluid (15) comprises a two-phase flow of oil and air and the insert (20) is configured to restrict the flow of oil and air in the relay box (100). A system (10) according to any of claims 6 to 14, wherein the housing channel (32) extends between the second surface (26) of the body (22) and an exterior surface of the relay housing (100). .